STATE RACING AND WAGERING BOARD - New York

[Pages:3]STATE RACING AND WAGERING BOARD

MISSION

The Racing and Wagering Board regulates all legalized gambling activities in New York except those regulated by the State Lottery. Horse racing, off-track betting (OTB), and Indian casino gaming are directly regulated by the Board. The responsibility for oversight of bingo and other permitted games of chance conducted by religious and not-for-profit organizations is shared with municipalities, which collect license fees and ensure that the Board's rules and regulations are followed.

ORGANIZATION AND STAFFING

A three-member Board oversees agency activities. The Governor appoints each member to a six-year term with the consent of the Senate.

The Chair and central office staff are stationed in Albany with additional staff operating from the New York City regional office. The Board employs on-site inspectors at the Oneida Indians' Turning Stone Casino in Verona, Oneida County, the Mohawk Indians' Akwesasne Mohawk Casino in Hogansburg, Franklin County, the Seneca Nation's Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls, Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in Buffalo and Seneca Alleghany Casino in Salamanca. Temporary and full-time employees oversee horse racing at New York's four thoroughbred race tracks ? Aqueduct, Belmont, Saratoga and Finger Lakes ? and eight harness tracks ? Buffalo, Monticello, Saratoga, Syracuse, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, Batavia Downs and Yonkers. The Racing and Wagering Board staff will be supported by revenues generated by the racing industry, Indian casinos and charitable gaming activities.

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

The Executive Budget recommends $25.2 million All Funds ($25.2 million Other Funds) for the State Racing and Wagering Board. The Executive Budget recommends a staffing level of 105 FTEs for the Racing and Wagering Board, a decrease of 17 from 2008-09 levels. This decrease reflects the impact of the statewide hiring freeze, implemented by the Executive in July of 2008. In addition, up to 3 positions will be reduced as a result of a new administrative "hosting" arrangement with the Division of the Lottery. The Board anticipates employing as many as 160 per diem staff in the 2009-10 fiscal year.

To ensure adequate funding for the State Racing and Wagering Board's Regulation of Racing Program, the Executive Budget recommends an Article VII Proposal to impose a $10 entry fee for every horse entered into a pari-mutuel race conducted in New York State.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

REGULATION OF GAMES OF CHANCE

The Racing and Wagering Board promulgates rules and regulations governing bingo and other games of chance operated by more than 15,000 charitable and not-for-profit organizations throughout the State. The Board establishes standards for issuing licenses to suppliers and manufacturers of gaming equipment; reviews financial statements of

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charitable gaming operations; and, in conjunction with local law enforcement officials, investigates illegal gaming activities. In accordance with legislation enacted in 1996, the Board will continue its oversight of "bell jar" games in order to decrease illegal activity.

INDIAN GAMING

The State has negotiated compacts or protocols with the Oneida Nation, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and the Seneca Nation to conduct gaming activities. Under these compacts, the Racing and Wagering Board is responsible for the regulation and oversight of gaming activities operating on these Indian lands. To oversee these activities, the Board maintains 11 employees at the Oneida Nation's Turning Stone Casino, 12 employees at the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe's Akwesasne Casino, 13 employees at the Seneca Nation's Seneca Niagara Casino, 12 employees at the Seneca Nation's Seneca Alleghany Casino, and 5 employees at the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino.

REGULATION OF RACING

The Board's permanent staff oversees as many as 160 temporary, seasonal employees who ensure that horse races at the State's racetracks are conducted legally. To help oversee racing activities, the Board has a contract with Cornell University to conduct research and to carry out post-race testing of blood and urine samples taken from race horses.

Category State Operations Aid To Localities Capital Projects

Total

ALL FUNDS APPROPRIATIONS

(dollars)

Available 2008-09

25,829,000 0 0

25,829,000

Appropriations Recommended

2009-10 25,203,000

0 0

25,203,000

Change (626,000)

0 0 (626,000)

Reappropriations Recommended 2009-10 0 0 0

0

ALL FUND TYPES PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM

FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS

Full-Time Equivalent Positions (FTE)

Program Regulation of Racing

Special Revenue Funds - Other Regulation of Wagering

Special Revenue Funds - Other Total

2008-09 Estimated FTEs

03/31/09

2009-10 Estimated FTEs

03/31/10

26

9

96

96

122

105

FTE Change

(17)

0 (17)

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STATE OPERATIONS

ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE

APPROPRIATIONS

(dollars)

Fund Type

Special Revenue Funds - Other Total

Available 2008-09

25,829,000 25,829,000

Recommended 2009-10

25,203,000 25,203,000

Adjustments: Transfer(s) From

Special Pay Bill

Special Revenue Funds - Other Appropriated 2008-09

(811,000) 25,018,000

Change (626,000) (626,000)

STATE OPERATIONS

ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM

APPROPRIATIONS

(dollars)

Program Regulation of Racing

Special Revenue Funds - Other Regulation of Wagering

Special Revenue Funds - Other Total

Available Recommended

2008-09

2009-10

15,113,000

14,784,000

10,716,000 25,829,000

10,419,000 25,203,000

Change

(329,000)

(297,000) (626,000)

Program Regulation of Racing Regulation of Wagering

Total

Program Regulation of Racing Regulation of Wagering

Total

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES 2009-10 RECOMMENDED (dollars)

Total Amount 14,784,000 10,419,000 25,203,000

Change (329,000) (297,000) (626,000)

Personal Service

Amount

Change

6,305,000

(711,000)

5,734,000

(139,000)

12,039,000

(850,000)

Nonpersonal Service

Amount

Change

8,479,000

382,000

4,685,000

(158,000)

13,164,000

224,000

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